Medical Practitioner, Dr E New Zealand Men's Clinic - Health and ...

Health and Disability Commissioner
(The documentation provided indicates that apomorphine lozenges were considered.)
The drug prescribed to Mr C on the document “Patient’s medication” states “1xAPO
sp”.
A consent form signed by Mr C refers to the prescription of Apo-Phen nasal spray,
which is a combination of two drugs: apomorphine and phentolamine. In his response
to the provisional opinion, Dr E clarified that the nasal spray dispensed contained only
apomorphine; no phentolamine was dispensed.
Mr C recalls that Dr E looked at the questionnaire and suggested the use of injections,
which he declined. An apomorphine nasal spray was then suggested, which Mr C
agreed to. Mr C was not physically examined and no clinical observations were
performed. He was in the Clinic for only 15 minutes, and this included the time spent
prior to his consultation completing the questionnaire. Mr C was not informed that the
use of the medication prescribed was an unapproved use of an approved drug, and was
not advised “of any possible side or adverse effects from using the nasal spray”.
Dr E advised that the Clinic now informs patients of the unapproved use of an
approved drug.
On his return home after the appointment, Mr C used the spray. Within 10 minutes he
had “mild vomiting”, and then collapsed onto the floor. He managed to “crawl” to the
bed, and then “passed out cold” for almost three hours.
Mr C contacted the Clinic and, following discussion with the staff, was given a full
refund of the cost of his treatment. Dr E stated that he had never experienced another
patient having the same symptoms as Mr C. Dr E stated:
“I … have never heard of this being a response to this medication and I am
extremely surprised … that this has happened. I cannot explain why this would be
so.”
Mr C described the effect of his treatment from Dr E as follows:
“The outcome of this experience is that I still have the problem but would not
consider even a herbal remedy. If recognised medical professionals can act as
quacks and charlatans what can be expected from persons without medical training
who some see as quacks in the first instance.
The impact of all this is that medical treatment would not be again considered [by
me], non medical treatment is to be avoided, so I am left with the loss of an
agreeable and elementary function of my life several years earlier than I would
have expected.
…
18 December 2008 8
Names have been removed (except the NZ Men’s Clinic) to protect privacy. Identifying letters are
assigned in alphabetical order and bear no relationship to the person’s actual name.